Alconbury Brook Flood Group Report June 2023

Flood Alleviation Scheme FAS

• Update from modelling company on their progress  next week. During July, we may get draft maps showing properties likely to flood at certain return periods e.g. 1 in 20 years. When finalised these will be used to re-calculate the economic benefit of any scheme.

Pond Projects

• Alconbury Weston Pond

  • HDC asked for an extension in making a decision until July 15th so they could consult Highways and the Flood Authority. Both have replied. The flood Authority have supported the application and Highways have reserved judgement. We have started correspondence with Highways to resolve their queries.

• Harts Pond

  • Meeting tomorrow with the Hunts and Beds Wildlife Trust. A survey has been conducted (thanks to A and C using a paddleboard and a surveyor’s pole donated by J) of the bed of the pond and a plan drawn to progress the application.

• Meander adaption

  • Downstream of Alconbury the brook is very sinuous which takes energy out of the flow. Thanks to the landowner we are now at the early stages of applying to install a shelf dug into the bank on one of the tightest bends so we can measure the impact on flow, sediment movement and the brook environment.

Sensor Project

• Soil moisture sensors have been installed at Sallows Farm after extensive testing by B at his house. FG plan to apply for Community Foundation funding for further sensors and community access meetings to enable people to view and use the sensor data to understand flood risk.

• C and B visited the Central Beds County Council Resilientogether Project which has similar aims to our sensor work. Interesting and useful exchange of ideas.

GreenBlue Urban project

• Further supportive discussion by Parish Councils

• Plans and quotations for work in some locations have been prepared.

• Awaiting funding decision which if positive will allow work to be done September/October.

Herbal Ley Project

• Funding now seems to be assured, but other funding being sought to complement work.

• Further measurements being made including production of biomass here and on other farm sites for comparison.

• Progress slow because funding not likely to be available until September/October.

• Complementary projects on sediment and microplastics have made a little progress. Citizen science project as part of EA research. T has offered to be involved in trapping microplastics.

Meeting with Olive Morley (CEO Huntingdonshire District Council)

• Thanks to Ian for organising.

• Introduced FG to Oliver and raised issues including footbridge and riparian maintenance (see photos) at Hinchingbrooke Country Park, stressed  importance of using up to date brook modelling in making planning and emergency response policy, Section 3 which is about new legal responsibilities on developers to ensure flood risk is mitigated, and BNG which is a new legal framework to ensure developers compensate for any environmental losses.